Bag closing and sealing apparatus



June 30, 1942. H. G. ALLEN Env-A1.

BAG CLOSING AND 'SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1940 6 SheetSSheet l :BY ATTORNEY June so, 1942. H, G, ALLEN HAL 2,287,957

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 25 -76 ,ze 27 ZZ 27 INVENTOR )'warci GAZZG?? anc? :Es ATTORNEY June 30, 1942. H; G. ALLEN Erm.

BAG CLOSING AND SEALIG APPARATUS J Filed Aug. 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 lMII.,

INVENTOR l-owen? AZevz anni ff, ff'eor Saunders W @l B ATTORNEY June 3o, 1942.

H. G. ALLEN ETAL '2,287,957

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS Fild Aug. 4, 19404 e sheets-sheet -4 71?; 709 v a g f 5 v. :BYC A ATTORNEY June 30, 1942. H. ALLEN ETAL BAG CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheefl 5 720 777 115 117 119,- 375 7? 110 o |O o 110 o o o 121 .96 `9@ 125 a 96 '95 7K6' 115 W6 104 2 72 (o3-#Q1 70'/ 103" l #d 11,2 707 `702 f g4 g2 n 94 .93 112 9g 704, 111 0 7@111 z /702 115 777 f r/ 11a 0 .o o

1 10.5".'2ELI 'Jv-:C94 f 107 92 P732 g3' 122 2 June 3o,y 1942. H, GALLEN TAL 2,287,957

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4. 1240 e sheets-sheet 6 E9 71st y BY ATTORNEY Patented June 30, 1942 Unire,

STATES Pnrsnr orties Howard G. Allen, Niagara Falls, and Karl Clifford Saunders, Kenmore, N. Y., assignors to Consolidated Packaging Machinery Corporation, a corporation ot New York y Application August 4, 1940, Serial No. 351,374

18 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in machines for automatically closing and sealing the mouths of lled paper bags and particularly seeks to provide novel mechanisms for forming the double-fold closures of slack lled bags.

In the packaging of certain bulk materials,

for rst trimming and creasing a collapsed bag vmouth presented thereto and for then forming a rst fold adjacent the end of the trimmed bag such as sugar and the like, a denite 'desire has been evidenced by many of the packaging companies to utilize slack filled bags in order-to avoid any tendency of the bag contents to cake or harden as they would do over a period of time if they were packed tightly.

Normally such commodities are packaged in VVpaper bags, loosely filled, and sealed through the use of the common or double-fold closure. However, prior known mechanisms for forming the double-fold closure proved to be unsatisfactory since the closures formed thereby were either looselyl folded or were not uniform. In the prior devices two general forms of mechanisms were 'used to form the closures, one of which creased the bag mouth and folded the bag mouth about the crease lines by twisted,k

former bars between which thebag mouth was mouth through the medium of an arcuate folding blade movable through a curvilinear path.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which employs novel devices located at another operating station for completing the double fold closure of the bag and which include cooperatively disposed relativelymovable hooked folding fingers. Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which includes means for bending the completely formedclosure to a position substantially parallel to the top plane of the bag contents preparatory to presentation to a dlrier associated therewith.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which is simconveyed, and the other of which forced the folding by the use of mating folding members. The

rst of these prior structures failed to produce tight, well formed folds since the paper was not restrained at all times and the second was apt to effect an unequal drawing of the paper with consequent detrimental eiects to the completed fold.

This invention overcomesthe difficulties heretofore met in the mechanical formation of uniform, tightly folded closures of the double-fold type for paper bags and the like.

` It is therefore an object of this invention to provide /a machine for automatically forming double-fold closures on slack filled paper bags or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which i'lrst co1- lapses the mouth of a filled bag presented thereto at one station, trims and creases the collapsedbag mouth then forms a first fold at a succeeding station, applies adhesive to the collapsed partly folded bag mouth, completes the formation of the double`fold closure at a succeeding station, and iinally discharges the closed and sealed bagonto a discharge conveyor or into suitable drying means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which employs novel mechanisms located at one station ple in design, and rugged in construction.

With these and other objects in view, the nature of which will become more apparent, the invention will be more fully understood by refer'- ence to the drawings, the accompanying detailed description, and the appended claims. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is anvenlarged front elevation of an automatic bag closure forming machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an emerged transverse vertical sec-` 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken on line l-' of Fig. 1 and illustrates the'parts as they are disposed at the beginnin of the formation of the final fold;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on line Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to Fig. 7 .but showing successive positions of the parts during formation of the nal fold;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on line l3--l3 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 14 is a. fragmentary detail view of a portion of the final fold forming mechanism and SCC ating cam for the bag mouth creasing elements; l

Fig. 18 is a similar view of the actuating cam for the arcuate first fold blade;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 1'1 and shows the actuating cam for the trimming knife;

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 17 and shows the actuating canr for the second fold forming elements.

Referring to the drawings in detail the invention as illustrated is embodied in an automatic bag closing and sealing machine including a main frame A, a filled bag supply conveyor B located to one side of the machine, a filled bag aligning a transfer station C, a. bag mouth co1- lapsing station D, a smoothing station E, a trimming, creasing and first fold-forming station F,

a final fold-forming station G, and a closure aligning station H adapted to bend the formed closure to a position parallel to the top of a bag preparatory to ejecting the sealed bag into a rotary drier generally indicated at I.

The bag closing machine which includes the novel mechanisms constructed in accordance with this invention is generallvsimilar to the machine disclosed in the United States Letters Patent No. 2,094,061 issued to It. N. Cundall,

September 28, 1937. In the present structurethe driving connections, the supply conveyor, the mechanism at the bag aligning and transfer station C, the mechanism at the bag mouth collapsing station D, the mechanism at the smoothing station E, and the mechanism of. an intermittently operable bag transfer conveyor generally 'indicated at J and employed to move the bags to successive operating stations, are all substangenerally indicated at II. The free end of the rock arm 9 is pivotally connected to the lower end of a vertically disposed link I2, the upper end of which is adjustably and pivotally connected to the rear ends of spaced levers Il pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the main frame. The main frame is provided with a forwardly projecting cantilever portionl I4 supporting opposed pairs of spaced depending guldeways I5, I5. Each pair of guideways I5 is maintained in rigid position by a web portion I8 extending therebetween and formed integral therewith. Each guideway I5 is provided with a centrally disposed outwardly bowed portion I'I, the function of`which'wi11 be hereinafter described. The forward ends of the levers I3 are spanned by a rod I8 which carries a spaced pair of depending` positioning of a bag mouth therebetween. Upon downward movement of the forward ends -of the lever I3 the rods 2l and 22, and consequently the arms I9 and 20, are brought towards each other as the result of sliding of the bars over the bowed portions of the guideways into the more restrictedl vertical portions thereof. A bar 23 extends between .the webs I6 and a strip 24 of,

heavy textile material, suchas canvas, is draped thereover at substantially`its mid point'. The

tially identical with the corresponding portions A of the machine disclosed and described in the said United States Letters Patent No. 2,094,061 and it is'. therefore believed to `be unnecessary to describe these parts in detail here.

The main frame A includes a table top 5 disposed in horizontal alignment with the bag supporting surface of the supply conveyor B. As the filled bags are moved by the conveyor B they are presented; to an intermediate table (not shown) at the bag aligning and transfer stationv C. The transfer mechanism at station C is effective to move the bags onto the table top 5 and into alignment between spaced guide rails E, 6. As the bags are individually 'moved onto the table top 5 they are received into forwardly projecting pockets of the intermittently movable conveyor J, the `exact nature of which is fully described in the United States Letters Patent No. 2,094,061. A bag is then. moved by the conveyor to the station D where thegussets are tucked and the bagmouth is collapsed. 'I'he next movement of the conveyor presents the bag to the station E where the collapsed bag mouth'is smoothed out preparatory to creasing.

The driving connections of the machine include a main -cam shaft 'I journalled yin the frame A. An actuating cam 8, located at the smoothing. station E (see Fig. 2) is secured to the cam shaft. The cam 8 oscillates a rock arm 9 which is pivotally connected to the frame at trimming and l provide a surface 26 and terminates in a roundedy end. The ends of the canvas strip 24 are brought around the surfaces 26 and are attached to tension springs 21 and 28 fixed to the depending arms I8 and 20.

As a bag is being presented to the smoothing station EA from the mouth collapsing station D the forward ends of the levers I 3 have been raised by action of the cam follower and link connections 8, I2 and the clamping plates 25jtogether with'the associated portions of the canvas strip 2| are spaced` apart a distance sumcient-to permit ready entry of the collapsed bag mouth therebetween. Atthe time the bag comes to rest, the cam and followerconnections I8, I2 are ef fective to lower the forward ends of the levers I3, the 'plates 25 slidingx upon the outer surfaces of thecanvas strip. Continued downward movement causes the rods 2| and 22 to engage the bowed portion I,'I of the guideways and results in a consequentclamping of the bag mouth while continuously drawing together they sides of the bag end. It should be noted that this downward movement of the plates 25 does not continue to the point at which the horizontal surfaces 28 thereof would engage against the top level of the bag contents as such action would effect an undesirable packing of the contents;l Continued rotation of the cam 8 eil'ects a release of the clamping action and the bag is then moved to the trimming, creasing and first fold-forming station F.

The trimming, creasing and-first fold-forming mechanism at station F is illustrated in Figa 3,

4 and 6 of the drawings. The main frame is provided with a plurality of spaced parallel mounting brackets 29 having forwardly extending portions 30 between two of which the trimming and creasing elements are mounted. The end of each forwardly projecting portion 30 at the station F is provided with a depending post 3|. A stationary trimming blade 32 spans the lower ends of the posts 3| and is rigidly secured thereto. A pair of horizontally disposed guideways 33 are secured to the opposingfaces of the projections 30 and are located in a general plane slightly below the bottom plane of the trimming blade 32. The guideways 33 slidably support a reciprocable slide member 34 mounted therebetween and carrying at its forward end a trimming knife 35 rigidly secured thereto and disposed in shearing relation to the stationary blade 32. The rear end of the slide'34 is provided with a depending yoke 36 engageable with the ycross bar 31 forming part of a bail 38. 'I'he bail 38 is pivotally mounted on a rock shaft 39 extending across the brackets 29 of stations F, G and H, and is adapted to be oscillated through a crank arm 49 which is connected by a link 4I and rock arm 42 to a shear actuating cam 43 secured to the main cam shaft 1 (see Fig. 19). Thus rotation of the cam 43 will effect a vertical reciprocation of the link 4I, os-

' cillation of the bail 38, and consequent horizontal reciprocation of the slide 34 to bring the trimming knife 35 into and out of shearing relationA of the stationary blade 32.

As a bag is presented at the station F, the upstanding collapsed mouth thereof` is received in the space between a pair of front and rear guide members 44 and 45 respectively which are rigidly 4 secured 'intermediate the projection 30. The front guide member 44 is bevelled along its upper edge as at 46 to thereby define a wedge shaped forming element over which the rst fold of the closure is adapted to be bent. The front guide is also provided with a horizontally disposed slot 41 located below the bevelled portion and through which a creasing blade is adapted to pass into engagement with the bag mouth located therebehind. The forward face of the rear guide member' 45 is provided with a horizontal creasing forward end of each lever 55 is provided with a bifurcation 51' slidably supporting a block 58, pivotally connected to the pin 54 of the oscillated folding blade. 'I'he levers 55 are rigidly maintained in spaced relation by a transverse spacing bar 59. One of the lever arms 55 isprovided with a rearextension arm 66 pivotally connected at its endl to .the upper end of a link 6|. The lower end of the link 6I is pivotally connected to the free end of a rock arm 62 which is pivotally connected to the main frame and adapted to be oscillated from the medium ofcam and follower connections generally indicated at 63 (see Fig. 18).

'I'he right hand ends of the guide members 44 and are each provided withY an outwardly divergent bevelled portion defining together a throat'portion 64 which rst receives a collapsed bag mouth and guides it into the vspace therebe-- tween.

It should be observed that-the folding blade 52 when in the full retracted position shown in Fig. 3 has its forward edge spaced from and in vertical alignment with the front face of the rear guide block and creasing anvil 45. The upper edge of the block 45 and the'folding blade ltogether define a spacev with which the up'per crease is formed in'a collapsed bag mouth, the edge of the block serving as the major abutment for the crease.

The movable creasing elements include a relatively wide depending arm 65 pivotally mounted on a rod 66 secured between the projections 36.

The lower end of the arm 65 is provided with a rearwardly extending shoulder 66a beneath which spaced upper and`lower creasing blades 6 1 and 58, respectively, arel secured through the medium of spacing blocks 69 and clamping bolts 10. The lower creasing blade 68 may be slotted to receive the clamping bolts 10 and may be adjustably maintained in any desired forward or rearward position relative to the upper blade byvadjusting screws 1I projecting rearwardly through the groove 48 coextensive and in alignment with the slot 46 of the front guide 44. It should be noted that the upper forward edge of the rear guide 45 is disposed atV the height at which Vthe upper crease line is.to be formed in the bag mouth as is the upper edge of the wedge shaped forming element 46. Thus the rear guide 45 serves also as a stationary creasing anvil. The rear of the guide 45is shaped to provide a convex surface 49 which is complementary to a concave surface 56 spaced therefrom and formed in the forward face of a folding blade guide block 5l secured to each projection 36. The opposing arcuate surfaces 49 and 50 together define an arcuate guideway in which a folding blade 52 is mounted for curvilinear movement. Relatively wide slots 53 are formed in the rear of the guide 45 and are located adjacent the ends of the folding blade 52 associated therewith. 'I'he folding blade 52 is provided with a pair of oppositely projecting pivot pins 54 secured to the inner faces thereof at the ends and being disposed within the defined limits of the respective slots 53.

'I'he folding blade 52 is adapted to be oscillated in the arcuate guideway through the medium of cam actuated linkage which includes a pair ofy spaced lever arms 55 pivotally mounted on a shaft 56 secured between the projections 30. The

' should be observed that the cam 8| is symmet-- 1 rical in nature to provide a resultant substanlower end of the arm 65 and engaging the forward edge of the blade. It should be noted that the lower creasing blade 68 is so spaced from the shoulder 66a that in the creasing position it is projectable through the slot 4,1 formed in the front guide block 44.

The arm 65 is-adapted to be oscillated by cam and linkage connections to bring the blades 61 and 68 into and out of creasing relation with the anvil 45. These connections include a link 12 lprovided at its forward end with a clevis pivotally connected to a centrally disposed rearwardly extending web 14 formed integral with the arm 65. The rear end of the link 12 is provided with an offset extension 15 pivotally connected to the free end of a rearwardly extending crank arm 16 which is rigidly secured to a shaft 11 journalled in the brackets 29. A crank arm 18 which isrigidly secured to the shaft 11 is slightly longe'i` than the arm 16 and extends in substantially the same direction. The free end of the arm 18 vis pivotally connected to the upper end of avertical link 19, the lower end of which is connected j to a rock arm 89 pivoted on the main frame.

The rock arm is adapted to be oscillated `from the main cam shaft 'I through cam and follower connections indicated 'at 8l (see Fig 17). It

tially unifo'rm movement of oscillation to the depending arm 65 to thereby bring .the creasing blades into and out of creasing engagement with the anvil. f

As soon as the bag is presented tothe trimming and creasing station F, rotation of the main cam shaft 1 first effects a reciprocation of the slide 34 and the associated trimming knife 35 to thereby trim the end of the collapsed bag mouth. As the forward limit of movement of the slide 34 is reached the cam and follower connections are effective to oscillate the depending arm 65 rearwardly to bring the creasing blades 61 and 68 into bag mouth creasing relation with thev anvil 45, the foldingbar 52 remaining substantially stationary during th` actual creasing. As continued movement of the cam and follower` connections 8| effect the beginning of the return movement of oscillation of the arm'65, the cam and follower connections 63 become effective to project the folding blade 52 forwardly through its curvilinear path., It should be noted that the forward edge of the folding blade 52 is disposed in abutting relation to the adjacent surface of the creased bag mouth and that the forward movement of the folding blade will elect a bending of the upper panel of the creased bag mouth over the wedge shaped former portion 46 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. Further movement of the cam and follower connections 63 will retract the folding blade 52 to its initial position and the bag is then ready to be displaced past the adhesive applying mechanism to the final folding station G.

As the bag mouth is moved from the station F to the final fold forming station G a bar of adhesive is applied to the bag mouth by devices generally indicated at 82. The adhesive applying devices include a bearing boss 83 secured to the main frame in a` suitable manner and provided with a depending open top container 84 adapted to hold a supply of adhesive. A shaft 85 driven by'suitable power means (not shown) is journalled in bearing boss 83 and is provided at its rear end with a wheel 86 of sufficient diamthe container 84. An applicator wheel 81 having a thickness equal to the width of the desired bar of adhesive is rotatably supported on the main frame with its axis vertical. The front edge portion of the applicator wheel is disposed in surface contact with the rear face of the immersed wheel 86 and thereby receives a supply of adhesive therefrom. The rear edge of the wheel 81 is disposed in substantial surface contact with the bag mouth as it moves by and applies the bar of adhesive thereto. The bag mouth is prevented from drawing away from the applicator wheel by a pressure bar 88 rigidly maintained to the rear thereof and in surface contact therewith.

It' should be noted that the rst fold formed at eter to be partially immersed in the adhesive in the station F is prevented from opening completely by a horizontal guide and restraining rod 89 secured to the frame and extending between the stations F and G.

The mechanism for effecting the final fold is carried between one of the projections 30 of the station F and the projection 30 of the next adjacent bracket 29and includes an open horizontal 4shelf 90 rigidly secured therebetween (see Figs.

The shelf is provided with a. pair of centrally disposed upstanding posts 99 located near the front thereof. A horizontal shaft 94 is journalled in the posts and has its ends projecting outwardly therebeyond. The shaft 94 carries a pinion 95 rigidly secured thereto intermediate other arm of the bell crank 91 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a vertical link 99, the lower end of which is connected to the free end of a rock arm |00 journalled on the shaft I0. The rock arm is adapted to be oscillated through the medium of cam and follower connections indicated at I,0I (see Fig.'20).

The projecting ends of the shaft 94 are provided with crank discs |02 rigidly secured thereto and having crank pins |03 projecting outwardly from the faces thereof. A pair of spaced parallel arms |04 are pivotally connected to the respective crank pins -I 03. vEach arm I 04 is provided with a rearwardly extending yoke |05 slidably supported on a horizontal rod |06 extending bef tween the brackets 29 to thereby support the rear end of the arms. The forward' end of each arm |04 is provided with a depending linger |01 extending downwardly therebelow and provided at its ena with a concave-convex surface |08V engageable with the crease line of the first formed fold of the collapsed bag mouth.

The rod |09 is secured intermediate the pro-4 jections 30 at the station G and pivotally supports a depending arm I I0. A plate I I I having a "width at least equalto the width of the bag mouth is pivotally connected at its forward edge, as at II2, to the lower end of the arm IIO. The plate III is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly inclined fold controlling lip II3 having its rear edge normally disposed adjacent the lower crease line formed in the ycollapsed bag mouth and along which the final fold is adapted to be started. The plate is provided with an upwardly inclined `lug H4; and an adjusting screw IIE, threadably engaged through the arm IIO, abuts the lug |I4 and determines the uppermost position at which the plate III may be maintained. The plate III is constantly urged upwardly towards contact with the end of the adjusting screw II5 by a tension spring II6`-ex tenczilng between the arm ||0 and the end of the lug A bracket I I1, including a horizontal Ibar portion |I8, is secured between the projections 30 and is provided with means generally indicated at I I9 for adjustably positioning the arm IIO in a? front to rear position such that the rear edge of` the platelipv ||3 is normally disposed adjacent or slightly above the lower crease line about whichthe flnalfold is formed. The bracket I I1 'is provided with a pair of spaced forwardly extending 'lugs |20 which support a pair of rigidly mounted depending fingers |2|. The lower ends of the fingers I 2| are provided with rearwardly directed arcuate portions |22 having radiijof curvature which substantially coincide with the locus of the crease of the first fold as it is moved through space during the formation of the final. fold.y

Thus the arcuate portion w|22 functions to control and position the rst folded portion of the 7 of the drawings.

closure during the formation of the nal fold Y thereof. The ends ofthe arcuate portions may be maintained in position by 'a spacing bar |23 rigidly secured therebetween. It should be noted that the plate is slotted as at |24 to provide clearance for the depending fingers |2i.

At the time a bag is presented to the station G the parts comprising the final fold forming mechanism assume the positions indicated in Fig. At this time rotation of the cam will effect a forward projection of the rack 96 through the medium of the linkage and bell crank connections as described to thereby leffect a partial rotation of the pinion 95 and of the crank discs |02. Since the bars |04 are pivotally connected to the crank pins |03 the forward ends of the bars -will partake of a substantial harmonious movement and the depending fingers 01 thereof will be effective to move the crease line of the first formed fold downwardly and forwardly through-a substantially arcuate path to thereby begin the formation of the nal fold. As the final folding is started, the rear edge'of the plate lip ||3 is disposed adjacent the lower crease line and serves as a temporary creasingv blade over A which the fold is eil'ected. Continued downward movement of the nngers |01 will apply a down- .vard force to the adjacent end of the plate I|| and the associated lip I3 and will therefore cause the plate to swing downwardly about its pivot ||2 and will also cause the arm l0 to pivot forwardly about its mounting shaft |09 (see Fig. 9). Con-A tinued forward projection of the rack 96 will bring the forward end thereof into abutting relation with the rear face of the depending arm I0 and will effect a further forward movementl of oscillation thereof to thereby disengage the lip ||3 from the bag mouth. At this disengaging movement of the lip ||3 is taking place the derotation of the cam |0| will effect a retraction of the rack 96 and a return of all of the above described parts to the position indicatedin Fig. 7.

It should be noted that the yforward end of the rack 36 Amay be provided vwith a forwardly projecting abutment screw which may be regulated to vary the distance through which the arm H0 may be swung and thereby vary the time at which the lip i3 becomes disengaged from the closure ap.

The formation of the closure per se is completed at the station G. However, it is necessary to positively maintain the closure in the sealed position for a short time 17.0 thereby permit the adhesive to become rmly set before the bag is subjected to additional handlings. The setting of the adhesive bond of the closure is accomplished in the drier I. After the bag leaves the final fold forming station G it is presented to the stav tion H where the formed closure is bent forwardly to a horizontal position-overlying the top plane of the bag contents. `As the bag is 'presented to the station H the closure thereof is disposed to the rear of a generally horizontal guide plate which comprises an arm |26 dependably secured to the horizontal shaft |09 and which is provided at its lower end with a rearwardly projecting plate |21. A second arm |28 is journal-lle on the shaft |03 and is provided at its lower end with a rearwardly projecting presser foot |23 fective in the formation of the closure.

adapted to overlie the plate |21 inl spaced lrelation thereto. The arm |28 is provided with a rearwardly extending lug |30 which ispivotally connectedto one end of a link 3| having its other end pivotallyconnectedto one arm of a bell crank |32. The bell crank |32 is journalled on the shaft 39 andhas its other arm pivotally connected to the upper end of a vertical link |33.

The lower end of the link |33 is connected to rock arm and cam follower connections substantially identical with the cam', rock arm, and fol.- lower connections shown in Fig. 17. When a closed bag has been presented at the station H the closure thereof is disposed in alignment with the plate |21 andthe cam and follower connections which oscillate the bell crank |32 are effective to .swing the arm |28 forwardly. The

presser foot |29 which is secured to the lower zontal position as the bag is moved from the station H into the drier I wherein the closure is maintained in its tightly formed position during Setting of theladhesive.

`It is believed thatL since the operation of the mechanisms et each ofthe several stations was described in detail it will be unnecessary `to describe the operation of the machine as a whole in detail. It should be pointed out, however, that a number of bags are operated upon simultaneously by the machine, each of the bags undergoing a more progressively complete operation ef- Thus it will beseen that the herein disclosed invention provides a novel machine for automatically closing and sealing the mouths of filled paper bags and .for particularly forming the double-fold closures of slack lled bags which employs novel mechanisms located at one station for first trimming and creasing a collapsed bag,

mouth presented thereto and for then folding a first fold adjacent the end of the trimmed bag mouth through the medium of an arcuate foldingblade movable through a curvilinear path; which employs novel devices located at another operating station for completing the double fold closure ofthe bag and which include cooperatively disposed-relatively movable hooked folding fingers; and which is simple in design and rugged in construction.

It is of course tobe understood that certain details of arrangement and proportions lof parts may be variously modied without exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: I

1. In a machine for closing and sealing slack filled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for forming spaced upper andl 'projectable forwardly and downwardly over saidupper lcrease line for folding the end of said bag mouth along the said upper crease line.

2.In a machine for closing and sealing slack illled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for trimming said collapsed bag mouth to a predetermined height, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end of said bag mouth, and means including an arcuately cross-sectioned folding blade having an edge engageable with the end portion of said bag mouth and projectable forwardly and downwardly over said upper crease line for lfolding the end of said bag mouth along the said upper crease line.

3. In a. machine for closing and sealing slack filled paper bags wherein is provided a main frame, a plurality of operating stations mounted on said frame and including bag mouth manipulating mechanisms, and an intermittently operable conveyor associated with said operating stations and adapted to present a lled bag to each of said stations successively; the mechanism of one of said operating stations being effective to trim and crease a collapsed bag mouth and comprising means for trimming said bag mouth to a predetermined height,.means for forming.

spaced upper and lower crease lines below the trimmed end of said bag mouth, and means including a folding blade movable in a curvilinear path for folding the end of said bag mouth along the upper crease line.

4. In a machine for closing and sealing slack lled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end of said bag mouth, means for folding. the end of said bag mouth along the upper crease line to forma first closure fold, means for folding said bag mouth along the lower crease line to formvthe inal closure fold, and stationary additional means effective during formation of the final fold for conning the iinal fold panel to a predetermined path oftravel whereby the closure as a whole will be tightly formed.

5. In a machine for closing and sealing slack filled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for trimming said collapsed bag mouth to a predetermined height, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the endof said bag mouth, means for folding the end of said bag mouth along the upper crease line to form a first closure fold, means for foldf ing said bag mouth along the lower crease line -to form the nal closure fold, and stationary additional means eective during formation of the nal fold for confining the final fold panel to a predetermined path of travel whereby the closure as a whole will be tightly formed.

6. In a machine for closing and sealing slack lled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end of said bag mouth, means including a. folding blade movable in a curvilinear path for folding the end of said v bag mouth along the upper crease line to form aflrst closure fold, means for folding said bag mouth along the lower crease line to form the y final closure fold, and means effective during formation of the final fold for confining the nal fold panel to a predetermined path of travel mouths, means for trimming said collapsed bag mouth to a predetermined height, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end of said bag mouth, means including a folding blade movable in a curvilinear path for folding the end of said bag. mouth along the upper crease line to form a rst closurev fold, means for folding the said bag mouth along the lower crease line to form the iinal closure fold, and means effective during formation of the final fold for confining the` nal fold panel to a predetermined path of travel whereby the closure as a whole will be tightly formed. y

8. In a machine for closing and sealing slack filled paper bags having collapsed .upstanding mouths, means for forming spaced upper and lowercrease lines below the end of said bag mouth, means for folding the end of said bag mouth along the upper crease line to form a rst yclosure fold, means for folding said bag mouth and folding fingers engageable with the upper portion of the rst fold and effective to. bend the irst fold over said folding blade along said lower crease line, said folding'blade being dis'- placeable during formation of the said final foldl to thereby permit the fold to be completed, and means effective during formation of the iinal fold for confining vthe kfinal fold panel to a predetermined path of travel whereby the closure as a whole will be tightly formed. l i

9. In a machine for closing and sealing slack iilled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for trimming said collapsed bag mouth to a predetermined height, means for forming 4spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end of said bag mouth, means for folding the end of 'said bag mouth along the upper` crease lineto form a first closure fold, means for folding the said bag mouth alongthe lower crease line to form the final closure fold and including a folding blade normally disposed adjacent said lower crease line, and folding fingers engageable with the upper portion of the first fold and eiective to bend the first fold over Y said folding blade along said lower crease line, said folding blade being displaceable during formation of the said final fold to thereby permit the fold to be completed, and means effective during formation of the final fold for confining the nal fold panel to a predetermined path of Jtravel-whereby the closure as a whole will be tightly formed.

10. In a `machine for closing and sealing slack filled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the en d. of said bag mouth, means including a folding blade movable in a curvilinear path for folding the end of said bag mouth along the upper crease line to form a first closure fold, means for folding said Abag mouth along .the lower crease line to form the final closure fold and including a'. folding blade normally disposed adjacent said lower crease line, and folding fingers engageable with thel 'upper portion of the first fold and effective to bend the iirst fold over said folding blade along said lower crease line, said folding blade being displaceable during formation of the said nal fold to thereby permit the fold to be completed, and means effective during formation of the final fold for conflning the final fold panel to will be tightly formed.

a predetermined path of travel whereby vthe closure as a whole will be tightly formed.

11. In a machine for closing and sealing slack v filled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for trimming said collapsed bag mouth .to a predetermined height, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end of said bag mouth, means including a folding blade movable in a curvilinear path for folding the end of said bag mouth along the upper crease line to form a first closure fold, means for folding said bag mouth along the lower crease line to form the final closure fold and including a folding blade normally disposed.

adjacent said'lower crease line, and folding fingers engageable with the upper portion of the first fold and effective to bend the first fold over said folding blade along said lower crease line,

said folding blade being displaceable during for-` mation of the said final fold to thereby permit the fold to be tightly formed, and means effective during formation of the final fold forconfining the final fold panel to a predetermined path of travel whereby the closure as a whole 12. A closing and sealing machine for paper bags wherein is provided a main frame, means for collapsing the mouth of a bagto be closed, and means for smoothing the upstanding collapsed bag mouth; a mechanism-containing op-l erating station including a stationary creasing anvil disposed to the rear of and below the top path.

13. A closing and sealing machine for' paper bags wherein is provided a main frame, means for collapsing the mouth of a .bag to be closed, and means for smoothing the upstanding collapsed bag mouth; an operating station including a stationary creasing anvil disposed to the rear of and below the top of said collapsed bag mouth, movable creasing elements located in front of said collapsed bag mouth and being effective when engaged with said anvil to form spaced upper and lower fold defining creases, means for moving said creasing elements into and out of creasing engagement with said anvil, means located adjacent said creasing anvil for bending the collapsed bag mouth about said upper crease line to form a first closure fold, said folding means including a folding blade projectable forwardly and downwardly over said anvil and through a curvilinear path, and means for actuating said folding blade.

14. A closing and sealing machine for paper bags wherein is provided a main frame, means for collapsing the mouth of a bag to be closed, andvmeans for smoothing the upstanding'collapsed bag mouth; an operating station including means for trimming the end of said colcreases, means for moving said creasing elements into and out of creasing engagement with saidv anvil, means located adjacent said creasing anvil for bending the collapsed bag mouth about said upper crease line to form a first closure fold, said folding means including a folding blade projectable forwardly and downwardly over said anvil and through a curvilinear path, and means for actuating said folding blade.

15. A closing and sealing machine for paper bags wherein is provided a rmain frame, means for collapsing the mouth of a bag to be closed, and

means for smoothing the upstanding collapsed bag mouth; a mechanism-containing operating station including a stationary creasing anvil disposed to the rear of and below the top of said col,- lapsed bag mouth, movable creasing elements 1ocated in front of said collapsed bag mouth'and being effective when engaged with said anvil to y form spaced upper and lower fold defining creases; means for moving said creasing elements into and out of creasing engagement with said anvil, means located adjacent said creasing anvil for bending the collapsed bag mouth about said. upper crease linie to form a first closure fold, said folding means including a Vfolding blade projectable forwardly and downwardly over said anvil ,and through a curvilinear path, another mechamsm-containing operating station effective to form the final fold of the closure and comprising a folding blade normally disposed adjacentv the lower fold defining crease about which the final fold is formed, folding fingers engageable with the first folded portion of the bag mouth and effective to bend said first folded portion over A said folding blade along said lower crease line to thereby form the final closure fold, said folding blade being displaceable during formation of the said final fold to thereby permit the fold to be completed, and means intermittently operable for presenting the bags to be closed to successive operating stations 16. In a machine for closing and sealing slack filled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, 'means ,for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end of said bag -mouthmeans for folding the end of said bag mouth along the. upper crease line to form a first closure fold, means for applying a bar of adhesive to said bag mouth along a line disposed below said first formed fold, means `for folding the first closure fold along the lower crease line onto the adhesive coated portion of said bag mouth to form the final closure fold and including a foldi'ng blade normally disposed-adjacent said lower -crease line, and folding fingers engageable with the upper portion of thev first folded portion and effective to bend the first 4folded portion over, said folding blade along said lower crease line,

said folding blade being displaceable duringl formation of the said final fold to thereby permit.

the fold to be completed, and means effective during formation of the final fold for confining the whereby the closure as a whole will be tightly lapsed bag mouth, a stationary creasing anvil disposed to the rear of and below the top of said collapsed bag mouth, movable creasing elements located in front of said collapsed bag mouth and formed.

l 17. In a machine for closing and rsealing slack filled paper bags having collapsed upstanding mouths, means for forming spaced upper and lower crease lines below the end4 of said bag being effective when engaged with said anvil to` form spaced upper and lower fold defining final fold panel to a predetermined path of travel sive to said bag mouth along a line disposed below said ilrst formed fold, means for folding the first closure fold along the lower crease line onto the adhesive coated portion of said bag mouth to form the final closure fold and including a folding blade normally disposed adjacent said lower crease line, folding fingers engageable with the upper portion of the first folded portionand.

effective to bend the first folded portion over said folding blade along saidlower crease line, said folding blade being displaceable during formation of the said nal fold to thereby permit the fold to be'completed, and a backing bar disposed to the rear of said bag mouth, said folding fingers also being effective to squeeze said completely formed closure against said backing bar to thereby assure positive contact of the clolimatges? mouth, means for folding the end of said bag mouth along the upper crease line to form a first closure fold, means for applying a bar of adhesive to .said bag mouth along a line disposed b'elow said first formed fold, means for folding said bag mouth along the lower crease line to form the final closure fold and including a folding blade normally disposed adjacent said .lower crease line, folding fingers engageable with the upper portionof the first fold and effective to bend the first fold over said folding blade along said lower crease line, said folding blade being displaceable during formation of the said final fold to' thereby permit the fold to be completed.

a backing bar disposed to the rear of said bag mouth, said folding fingers also being effective to squeeze said completed closure against said backing bar to thereby assure positive contact of the closure panels with said adhesive, and means effective during formation ofthe final fold for confining the final fold panel to a predetermined path of travel whereby the closure as a whole will be tightly formed. i

HOWARD `G. ALLEN. K. CLIFFORD SAUNDERS. 

